The U.S. military judge in charge of the future trial of five September 11 terror suspects has ordered that testimony about their capture, imprisonment and alleged torture must remain secret.

Judge James Pohl ruled Wednesday that making this information public could endanger U.S. national security.

Pohl also ruled in favor of the so-called 40-second rule at the trial. Journalists and onlookers can hear audio of the trial on a 40-second delay to give authorities time to cut out any classified information.

Journalists and human rights groups have argued in favor of an open trial. They accuse the military of seeking to censor the thoughts of the defendants.

Five suspects, including alleged 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, are set to go on trial next year at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

U.S. intelligence officials have acknowledged flying terror suspects to secret prisons and subjecting them to waterboarding — a form of torture that simulates drowning.